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Here's my first (and maybe last) Trip report of 2017... Whoever and the family do Spring Dapper Day!!!

Our trip starts in Sunny Phoenix. Amy and Charlotte had spent the night at the Arizona Science Center as part of Charlotte's Girl Scout Troop Outing. They were tired, cranky from camping out on concrete floors, and I went and retrieved them around 9am (they were still doing experiments, so the pickup took quite a while). I whisked them home, got Amy caffeinated, cleaned up, and we finished up the packing/loading of everything.

As you can see, we used just about every spare inch of the cabin..

We did manage to have a little space way in back, but nothing we could really use. Will be GLAD when we are stroller-less. I think this is the last trip with it. Takes up entirely too much space.

And that's it... the Axiom is ready to set sail.. at 11:19!! It was going to be a late arrival for sure.

We broke free of Phoenix traffic after about 15 miles and it was time to see if we could make up some time due to our late departure...

Well that doesn't bode well for the trip... 420 bald eagles under the hood, guzzling down 91-octane and screeching freedom out the tailpipe.

Our fuel economy actually ended up not too bad for a 376 cubic inch V8 coupled to a full-time four wheel drive system pushing over 7000 pounds at reasonable velocity. 10 gallons of fuel to get us the 146 miles from Downtown Phoenix to the Flying J at exit 1, the last fuel stop before entering CA, land of egregious fuel tax and why I refuse to fill up in CA period. Averaged 78.92mph and 14.6 mpg for that first leg. From the AZ/CA border was 424 miles round trip to DL and back at an average speed of 59.44 mph and 15.76 mpg. The trip back from the border to home Tuesday night netted us 16.52 mpg at an avg speed of 78.05 mph. Weird how it got better. I blame the wind.

It only took 37 minutes for the first "how long have we been driving" to get asked. It was going to be one of those trips wasn't it?

At some point in the California desert, magic happened..

One kid reading

One kid doing homework (They were missing two days of school)

And...one kid passed out with the Moana credits playing in her head phones makes for a silent vehicle and a happy captain of this ship.

We pulled onto Katella at 16:27. We were getting close and everybody was starting to get excited!!

We had the windows down, Paint the Night soundtrack cranked up, only to have the car next to us burning down the biggest joint ever. With Marijuana wafting into our vehicle, the windows had to go up our enthusiasm stifled slightly.

There it is!!

Yay!!! LOVE This part..

Never had such a line like this.. usually we just pull right up.

And we've ARRIVED!!! Our home away from home. The plate and BnL Sticker was a huge hit with the CMs

A quick valet/bellhop/registration and we went right up to the room.

The view from the room (2007) was nothing special, and all you could really see was the roof and the construction barriers for the pool renovation, but it was our home, and very close to the elevators and having the music from the lobby flow through our open door was a real treat. I still had the door wedged open to the lobby when the bell hop showed up within minutes of us getting up to the room.

A quick adjustment to the camera pack gear loadout and I was jonesing to get into the park.

Let me say a thing or two about the security this trip... it's not Security Theater anymore. It actually was VERY thorough. Could you still get a gun or knife into the park? Absolutely. Would it be difficult? ABSOLUTELY. They literally looked in every pocket, squeezed everything, even the kid's itty bitty cross bodies and people's wallets. AND... metal detectors on top of it all. PITA, probably not really making anything truly safer, but definitely cutting down on contraband. It was a real pain for my 5.11 backpack which has a million pockets and is designed for concealed carry of firearms (but makes a superb camera bag).

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We made our way to the DCA Hotel entrance and passed through the now rigorous entry routine. I'm still on my AP for this trip, but Amy and the girls were on 4-day park hoppers, so they had to go through the picture taking process. We were finally in the park by 17:35. Our first stop this trip wasn't an attraction... it was food!!

There is no better counter service in DCA in our opinion than Smoke Jumper's Grill. Some Chili-cheese fries and an order of onion rings for Amy and I to split and a few chicken tender meals for the kids. It’s always a great value and great food. My only complaint this trip... they were out of Tower 10 IPA... grrr... it would be a theme for DCA this trip. Maybe being phased out?

We wrapped up our meal by 17:56 and decided on our first attraction... It was Victoria's choice as she was FINALLY tall enough to ride some of the big-kid attractions this trip (Sadly Matterhorn was down though which she really wanted to ride). As we were in the area, a lesson on learning to fly was in order on Goofy's Sky School.

She LOVED it!!

At this point, we split up. I kept Victoria and Amy took Katherine and Charlotte over to Screamin'. Victoria and I had a fun spin on Silly Symphony

Afterwards, we were waiting and I DID finally find that seaside brews had the Tower 10. Matt was a happy man. I made my way over towards Screamin' only to find that Charlotte apparently wasn't tall enough despite repeated measurements which had put her solidly over the height requirement. Not to be thwarted, we headed on over to Soarin' to execute the fast passes I had grabbed when we entered the park but not before Amy grabbed some Toy Story Midway Mania FP for later.

Along the way, I caught my first glimpse of this monstrosity from inside the park. So hideous and theme ruining (GOTG, not the light/speaker stand)

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I'm still not sold on this whole de-California-ifacation of the park. Soarin' over the World while well done lacks the smells and is way over the top on CGI. Soarin' over California was superior in my opinion, but it could have used a remastering to clean it up (but keep the CGI out).

Our trip around the world done, we made our way back towards the Pier for our TSMM passes. Along the way, I spotted my favorite angle of Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout.

I did much worse than normal. No idea why. Being a family of 5 we are always split up weird too, so no fun shooting by yourself. Kids had fun even with Katherine goofing off.

Now it was time for a trip under the sea. It was starting to get late and we had a very early EMH with Dapperness to happen.

After returning to dry land we cruised up to Rushin' River Outfitters and did some shopping. We also made the fateful decision to purchase an adult and child poncho (I had two already) so the whole family could go on Grizzly. You read that right, 4 ponchos for a family of 5. How would we fare? An extra bag and some handiwork made for a quick solution.

After that first trip, Amy, Charlotte, and Victoria decided to call it a night and head back to the room (this fact alone is why the Grand cannot be surpassed for lodgings... you have mere steps till you can dry out and be ready for bed. )

Katherine and I chose to partake of the rapids three additional times. This was far from our 12-times back to back record, but even the two of us were tired. We finally called it a night at 21:10 and made our way to White Water Snacks for a snack for Katherine and then stopped by the Lobby Gift shop to stock up on more of what I love.. GCH merch. That will have to wait till the end of the TR though for the haul.

We hit the room at 21:25 and found most of the family fast asleep. It would be an early morning so I cracked a beer, did camera file transfers, charged things, changed batteries and prepared as much for the morning as possible before retiring for the night.

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I can say from experience that your life will so much easier when the kids grow put of the stroller.

We've had an intermittent leak with the passenger side rear tire on the stroller. I've pulled the tube and inspected it multiple times and was never able to find a leak. It's slimed as well. Wouldn't you know it, after we are leaving Cove bar on our last day back to the hotel to load up to leave it goes flat. Didn't even bother hitting the esplanade to fill it up, just limped it back and threw it in the back of the vehicle. I don't think I've even filled it up at home yet as we use the jogging stroller so infrequently these days.

I also didn't realize that Smoke Jumpers had Onion Rings. For what ever reason we have never eaten there... looks like it could be time to start.

We really like it. I understand the menu was similar to Taste Pilots which occupied the space before, which we only ate at once. Smoke Jumpers is always a favorite though and plates get cleaned which we love (eat what you order in its entirety). Not having my favorite CA beer with the meal was a downer though.

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I'm still not sold on this whole de-California-ifacation of the park. Soarin' over the World while well done lacks the smells and is way over the top on CGI. Soarin' over California was superior in my opinion, but it could have used a remastering to clean it up (but keep the CGI out).

Our trip around the world done, we made our way back towards the Pier for our TSMM passes. Along the way, I spotted my favorite angle of Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout.

Awesome report! Seeing the pictures gives me the feels of being at Disneyland with the family.

Also, The spot i highlighted above.. i see what you did there.

The last time I went I was a little disappointed in DCA and the direction it is heading in. It's unfortunate but I feel like it's going to get worse before it gets any better. The redo of buena vista street was a great start, and then it all turned shortly after. So unfortunate.

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Awesome report! Seeing the pictures gives me the feels of being at Disneyland with the family.

Also, The spot i highlighted above.. i see what you did there.

Thanks! I love getting digs in on that hideous monstrosity.

The last time I went I was a little disappointed in DCA and the direction it is heading in. It's unfortunate but I feel like it's going to get worse before it gets any better. The redo of buena vista street was a great start, and then it all turned shortly after. So unfortunate.

I think the Grizzly Peak Airfield is a much better theme than Condor Flats. This Marvel land garbage has GOT TO STOP though.

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Morning came EARLY. Amy was up way before me getting ready, doing hair, and getting her outfit and the girl's outfits together. I was a relatively easy package to make, so I was a bit slower after having stayed out later and done all the after-day electronics/camera maintenance. After much whining from the girls and hubbub, we finally left the room at 06:53 for a 07:00 EMH. This was going to be tight. We cruised through the security, which for anybody who hasn't been to the resort lately cuts off Downtown Disney as a "safe" zone. Once through, we trucked along, and was pleased the choke point was now moved back and not cutting off the esplanade.

With little to no crowds, we cruised right up to the front of the lines.

We were promptly let in the park and on the move. Katherine insisted on stroller duty this morning and she was trucking!

Charlotte was hamming it up for the camera as usual.

Absent were the long lines down Rt. 66. I was also lagging a bit behind as I had grabbed RSR FP on the way in.

I promptly caught up with the girls in the queue on one of the switchbacks.

And we waited..and waited.. apparently the attraction was not up, and they had no idea when it would be. We were told we could leave or stay, no re-entry passes would be given.

This is one of my major pet peeves with Disney. EMH is for getting in attractions before the start of park general attendance. You pay DEARLY for it yet they don't bother to ensure an earlier start to guarantee the attractions are ready to go at the start of EMH. It's like they start TESTING right when the gates open. Completely unacceptable. Additionally, they should tell you up front what isn't up and going yet vs. having you trek all the way down burning up precious minutes of this premium experience. Alas, at 07:19, we called it and exited the queue and decided to make our way to TSMM...

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Awesome report! Seeing the pictures gives me the feels of being at Disneyland with the family.

Thanks!!!

Also, The spot i highlighted above.. i see what you did there.

I REALLY will get every jab in on this horrible decision I can... forever. Disney needs to see the error of their ways and get rid of this Marvel land garbage.

The last time I went I was a little disappointed in DCA and the direction it is heading in. It's unfortunate but I feel like it's going to get worse before it gets any better. The redo of buena vista street was a great start, and then it all turned shortly after. So unfortunate.

Grizzly Peak airfield was a vast improvement over Condor Flats, but yes, the Marvel land garbage (and the things we LOST for Starwars land which really should have been a third gate along with Marvel land over where Paradise Pier Hotel is) is really detracting.

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Hey, just wanted to stop and say thank you for the work of the trip report. I wrote a response last night, but no record of the post....so a brief note again, I always appreciate your vehicle reports leaving out of Phoenix and brings back memories of the Volvo and then seeing the lack of space in the vehicle...I wonder gheez...how did he do it back then....anyhow....I appreciate the Phoenix freeway driving and how I will not drive into Phoenix from Yuma to pick up folks at the airport, they will have to shuttle or rent a car...or fly into Palm springs. and I did research on the decal and car plate, ready now for that trivia contest at the lounge contest.

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My family was in the same RSR line. We were probably 10th from the front and the CM told us the fast pass machines were open and that was our best option. My family and most people around us left the line and headed to pick up fastpasses. The CM there told us they wouldn't distribute fastpasses until 8:00. People were angry at the contradictory statements from the CMs. We then walked to TSMM like your family...I won't steal your thunder

It was a frustrating EMH, and I agree it seems like they start testing the rides shortly before 7am.

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Hey, just wanted to stop and say thank you for the work of the trip report. I wrote a response last night, but no record of the post..

I've replied twice to the same post, and the forum kicks them off for approval into a black hole. Totally weird.

..so a brief note again, I always appreciate your vehicle reports leaving out of Phoenix and brings back memories of the Volvo and then seeing the lack of space in the vehicle...I wonder gheez...how did he do it back then.

We were literally up to the point of I had a roof rack installed on the top of the Volvo and Amy rear-ended a Range Rover like 3 days before the trip and we had to take my father's F150 with a cap as an emergency. Now that I think about it, we never took that XC90 on a Disneyland trip again. We borrowed his F150 for our next trip as well. We had definitely outgrown the Volvo. I will tell you what, when Amy was told there was NO VEHICLE which met our combined needs (third row seating with room behind the third row, V8 power, and would still fit in the garage, the sky became the limit. When we moved up to the Yukon XL Denali, I don't know how we ever did it myself. We were definitely compromising on so many levels. The Axiom is only 1MPG less in every day driving than the Volvo. Both took Premium fuel to not have major ignition retardation (huge power loss), and the Axiom has a heated steering wheel, heated/cooled front seats, and heated rears, and it was like why did we never move up to what our family needed.

...anyhow....I appreciate the Phoenix freeway driving and how I will not drive into Phoenix from Yuma to pick up folks at the airport, they will have to shuttle or rent a car...or fly into Palm springs. and I did research on the decal and car plate, ready now for that trivia contest at the lounge contest.

The pics have been pulled/blurred, but you saw them obviously before it happened. It totally fits it. Over consumption and some portly passengers . According to the Wiki: "Designed as a massive luxury cruise ship, the Axiom kept everyone aboard fed and entertained as it cruised through space" It fits... uncannily well

Look at those pics from the Volvo... How did we do it indeed

That mileage... I think we always had to fuel up in CA (shudders silently)

The Axiom can make it over 500 miles on a tank.

Just occurred to me that the Axiom also has three monitors and a separate rear sound system from the front and copious charging opportunities not to mention separating kids who can't quit messing with each other. WIN!!!

Even older ones with that old Volvo

That full-size spare I demanded to travel with after having to buy FOUR new tires after an unrepairable flat and an AWD system was a big space hog.

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My family was in the same RSR line. We were probably 10th from the front and the CM told us the fast pass machines were open and that was our best option. My family and most people around us left the line and headed to pick up fastpasses. The CM there told us they wouldn't distribute fastpasses until 8:00. People were angry at the contradictory statements from the CMs. We then walked to TSMM like your family...I won't steal your thunder

It was a frustrating EMH, and I agree it seems like they start testing the rides shortly before 7am.

You recognize my frustration from that morning for sure. Even Amy ranted to a CM. I think we struck out 4 times before finding an open attraction, but that's for the next post. Totally ridiculous

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You recognize my frustration from that morning for sure. Even Amy ranted to a CM. I think we struck out 4 times before finding an open attraction, but that's for the next post. Totally ridiculous

Yep, we managed one attraction during a very lightly attended EMH. I politely complained to City Hall (or whatever DCA's version is called) later in the day and was told we didn't miss much... "it was only 45 minutes" is what I was told about the time wasted, which totally misses the point of what should be a premium experience.

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Yep, we managed one attraction during a very lightly attended EMH. I politely complained to City Hall (or whatever DCA's version is called) later in the day and was told we didn't miss much... "it was only 45 minutes" is what I was told about the time wasted, which totally misses the point of what should be a premium experience.

Quite frankly they should have been handing out non-restricted FP left and right. The difference between a DLR hotel even at dapper day rates and an off-property hotel is hundreds of dollars per night. I realize we are legally entitled to ZERO open attractions during EMH, but it's poor showmanship.